diff --git a/AUTHORS b/AUTHORS
index d8ef31a614..e42f9c402b 100644
--- a/AUTHORS
+++ b/AUTHORS
@@ -232,6 +232,7 @@ Patches have also been contributed by:
   Stefan Bader         <stefan.bader@canonical.com>
   MATSUDA Daiki        <matsudadik@intellilink.co.jp>
   Jan Kiszka           <jan.kiszka@siemens.com>
+  Ryan Woodsmall       <rwoodsmall@gmail.com>
 
   [....send patches to get your name here....]
 
diff --git a/src/esx/esx_driver.c b/src/esx/esx_driver.c
index dff8aa672e..d9f53f7418 100644
--- a/src/esx/esx_driver.c
+++ b/src/esx/esx_driver.c
@@ -1023,6 +1023,8 @@ esxOpen(virConnectPtr conn, virConnectAuthPtr auth,
     priv->supportsLongMode = esxVI_Boolean_Undefined;
     priv->usedCpuTimeCounterId = -1;
 
+    conn->privateData = priv;
+
     /*
      * Set the port dependent on the transport protocol if no port is
      * specified. This allows us to rely on the port parameter being
@@ -1114,8 +1116,6 @@ esxOpen(virConnectPtr conn, virConnectAuthPtr auth,
         goto cleanup;
     }
 
-    conn->privateData = priv;
-
     result = VIR_DRV_OPEN_SUCCESS;
 
   cleanup: